You ever know someone who makes every party they are at more fun? They know lots of interesting things to keep the conversation flowing. They make everyone laugh. Then they get too drunk and turn a little mean, but in a sexy way? That's this website.
Everything today will be Halloweeny. So here’s a song I hope you all appreciate. The Mariner’s Revenge Song by the Decemberists. And depending on what kind of person you are, I have more than one version. If you like live performances, check the one out on the bottom. But if you’re like me, you want the studio version. So click the top one. The fact that the play those kids put on is awesome is irrelevant. Just listen to the damn song.
Find him. Bind him. Tie him to a pole and break his fingers to splinters. Drag him to a hole until he wakes up naked clawing at the ceiling of his grave.
In news like, way too long in coming (over 200 years!), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is now announced to have died from a shotgun blast to the heart. Medically known as strep throat. I’m not a doctor, officially, so I might be a bit off on that.
Was the wunderkind composer poisoned by a jealous rival? Did he have an intestinal parasite from an undercooked pork chop? Could he have accidentally poisoned himself with mercury used to treat a bout of syphilis?
A report in Tuesday’s Annals of Internal Medicine suggests the exalted Austrian composer might have succumbed to something far more commonplace: a streptococcal infection — possibly strep throat — that led to kidney failure.
Man, glad it wasn’t the pork chop thing. That would be a shitty way to go. That poisoning himself after syphilis would have been a good time, though.
There is no disputing the fact Elvis changed rock n roll forever, bridging the gap between “black” and “white” music, stirring up controversy and breaking new ground with every song, with every gesture, every dance move. Maybe it is Michael Jackson’s death compelling me to take note of Elvis this year. I never have before, though I do have a moment of silence for John Lennon every December 8th. I think the difference between Lennon and Elvis or Michael Jackson is Lennon had no culpability in his own death and that is why I mourn him more. I also think Lennon had more to offer whereas Elvis had run his own course by the time of his death. The music world suffered a greater loss, I suppose is my point.
All that said, it is one of my goals to visit Graceland someday. I suspect it is a desire spawned more by Paul Simon than any lingering affection for Elvis but Lisa Marie will still benefit from my pilgrimage. But I’ve reason to believe we all will be received.
The video is what I would have played at his funeral if I were in charge, as I believe I should be of most events.
I’ve never heard of The Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival and doubt anyone not from around there has, either. This year, though, the festival is honoring Sam Cooke for his amazing contributions to American music. His brother, L.C. Cooke, phrased it well:
“He was Motown before Motown was even invented.”
He was an incredibly talented artist and a gifted songwriter/performer; as notable was his business sense. He had the rare ability to keep the creativity flowing while still keeping a sharp eye on the financial end of the business. Ray Charles was one of the very few who fared as well against the record companies of the time. Many artists were so focused on the music, they allowed others to handle the business aspect of it for them, signing away rights they never should have, and were taken advantage of shamelessly. Sam Cooke was not one to be exploited. He made sure to own the rights to his music; he was one of the few of the time who owned his masters. He started his own record label, taking on other artists, as well as a publishing company. His label wasn’t intended as a showcase for his music but to provide him an opportunity to hone his own songwriting and producing skills while giving other black artists a venue. This may not sound all that ground breaking until you consider this took place in 1961. He was truly a pioneer, forging the way and making room for others to come behind. The lines of people who owe him gratitude are miles and miles long. What’s more (and sad), many who owe him that debt don’t even realize they do.
His influence is undeniable; Anthony De Curtis, a Rolling Stone* contributing editor, said:
“Certainly his influence extends to contemporary artists. It would be hard to think of people like Alicia Keys and John Legend without Sam Cooke.”
The Felicity Huffman look-alike in the background is the best part.
Wolf Blitzer was a guest last night on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. They discussed, among other things, the fact that as they age, not only their facial hair has turned grey. Thinking about old man pubes is not my favorite way to fall asleep.
His favorite song of the moment is I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas. The image of this very sedate older man dancing around to CBS’s fall premieres promo is quite more fun than his greying man bits.
Craig asked when we would see him on Dancing with the Stars and Wolf did not dismiss the idea. He explained his qualifications, beyond his love of hip hop, include dancing with Ellen Degeneres on her show. Craig was sad because Ellen did not invite him to dance when he was a guest. That lil vixen, breaking elderly men’s hearts.
The best quote from the interview, however, came from Craig:
If you don’t love The Beatles, you should just go join Al Qaeda.
The octogenarian fell off the stage during a concert in South Dakota when the sound system failed, injuring his head, neck and shoulders. I can’t say I blame the sound guys, really. He was singing Love in an Elevator so it could be the music gods finally decided to punish him. Or perhaps South Dakota is simply a place full of extra gravity. At this rate, the three brain cells he has left (those not drug and booze fried) are going to spend his golden years arguing with each other. This could lead to some really entertaining antics on stage and in line at Starbucks and on talk shows. It could also lead to more unfortunate plastic surgery. Time will tell but I’m looking forward to this.
Term and Condition
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